By: Freidoune Sahebjam; translated from the French by Richard Seaver
This is a true account of the story of Soraya, a 35 yr. old woman who, in 1986, was put to death by stoning. Sahebjam was on assignment as an Iranian journalist (raised in France)in a small village in Iran when he met Zahra, Soraya's aunt, and she recounted the terrible circumstances surrounding the death of this innocent young woman. The story follows Soraya's upbringing and marriage, at age 13 yrs., to her husband and the subsequent abuse and neglect she and her children suffered at the hands of her husband who was involved with dirty dealings, visiting prostitutes, etc. She bore 9 children in 14 years, with her husband and when her husband fell in love with another woman (child, actually, of 14 yrs.) he claimed that Soraya was unfaithful to him and should be put to death (he could not afford to support two wives...). This book shows the awful truth about many of the acts that were (are?) still being committed in the small villages at that time. Soraya was one woman but many stoniness had taken place all over the country--approx. 1000 in the past 15 years. The tribunal to determine Soraya's fate included family members as well--her two eldest sons. Her own father helped in the stoning. Soraya's husband had a lot of help in convincing the authorities of the lie of the crime that Soraya supposedly committed. By telling this story Sahebjam has helped to tell the story of this innocent woman and brought attention to a much needed topic. It was a short, well written and disturbing book. The movie has already been made but I am not certain as to a release date. Review by Bonnie. (Non-fiction) 08/21/09
